EJEMBI EKO, J.S.C. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): At the Federal High Court, Lagos the Appellant and one other person were being tried for criminal conspiracy and offences respectively under Sections 1 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004 and Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011. The Charges were amended and increased to a total of 54 in the amended charges filed on 7th June, 2013 in the Charge No. FHC/L/422c/2011. The charges relate to acceptance of various cash payments from the Lagos State House of Assembly without going through financial institutions which under the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act (MLPA) are each criminal offences.
The Prosecutor, the Respondent herein, called two witnesses [PW.1 and PW.2]. Through the witnesses several documents, Exhibits 1 - 6, were tendered. Thereafter the Respondent closed his case. The Appellant's counsel, having formed an opinion that the Respondent's case disclosed no prima facie case, filed an application praying the t…